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Results for “PLASMA POTENTIAL”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Combined effects of gas pressure and exciting frequency on electron energy distribution functions in hydrogen capacitively coupled plasmas

The combined effects of the variation of hydrogen pressure (40-400 mTorr) and exciting frequency (13.56-50 MHz) on the electron energy probability function (EEPF) and other plasma parameters in capacitively coupled hydrogen H{sub 2} discharge at fixed discharge voltage were investigated using rf-compensated Langmuir probe. At a fixed exciting frequency of 13.56 MHz, the EEPF evolved from Maxwellian-like distribution to a bi-Maxwellian distribution when the H{sub 2} pressure increased, possibly due to efficient vibrational excitation. The electron density largely increased to a peak value and then decreased with the increase of H{sub 2} pressure. Meanwhile, the electron temperature and plasma potential significantly decrease and reaching a minimum at 120 mTorr beyond, which saturated or slightly increases. On the other hand, the dissipated power and electron density markedly increased with increasing the exciting frequency at fixed H{sub 2} pressure and voltage. The electron temperatures negligibly dependent on the driving frequency. The EEPFs at low pressure 60 mTorr resemble Maxwellian-like distribution and evolve into a bi-Maxwellian type as frequency increased, due to a collisonless (stochastic) sheath-heating in the very high frequency regime, while the EEPF at hydrogen pressure {>=}120 mTorr retained a bi-Maxwellian-type distribution irrespective of the driving frequency. Such evolution of the EEPFs shape with the driving frequency and hydrogen pressure has been discussed on the basis of electron diffusion processes and low threshold-energy inelastic collision processes taking place in the discharge. The ratio of stochastic power to bulk power heating ratio is dependent on the hydrogen pressure while it is independent on the driving frequency.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Plasma parameters and the reduction potential at a plasma-liquid interface

We report nonthermal plasmas in contact with liquids have been shown to generate a variety of reactive species capable of initiating reduction–oxidation (redox) reactions at the electrochemically active plasma–liquid interface. In conventional electrochemical cells, selective redox chemistry is achieved by controlling the reduction potential at the solid electrode–electrolyte interface by applying a bias via an external circuit. In the case of plasma–liquid systems, an analogous means of tuning the reduction potential near the interface has not clearly been identified. When treated as a floating surface, the liquid is expected to adopt a net negative charge to balance the flux of hot electrons and relatively cold positive ions. The reduction potential near the plasma–liquid interface is hypothesized to be proportional to the floating potential, which can be approximated using an analytical model provided the plasma parameters are known. Herein, we present a framework for correlating the electron density and electron temperature of a noble gas plasma jet to the reduction potential near the plasma–liquid interface. The plasma parameters were acquired for an argon atmospheric plasma jet in contact with an aqueous solution by means of laser Thomson scattering. The reduction potential was determined using identical reference electrodes to measure the potential difference between the plasma–liquid interface and bulk solution. Interestingly, the measured reduction potentials near the plasma–liquid interface were found to be in good agreement with the model-predicted values determined using the plasma parameters obtained from the Thomson scattering experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Tritium plasma experiment: Parameters and potentials for fusion plasma-wall interaction studies

The tritium plasma experiment (TPE) is a unique facility devoted to experiments on the behavior of deuterium/tritium in toxic (e.g., beryllium) and radioactive materials for fusion plasma-wall interaction studies. A Langmuir probe was added to the system to characterize the plasma conditions in TPE. With this new diagnostic, we found the achievable electron temperature ranged from 5.0 to 10.0 eV, the electron density varied from 5.0 x 10{sup 16} to 2.5 x 10{sup 18} m{sup -3}, and the ion flux density varied between 5.0 x 10{sup 20} to 2.5 x 10{sup 22} m{sup -2} s{sup -1} along the centerline of the plasma. A comparison of these plasma parameters with the conditions expected for the plasma facing components (PFCs) in ITER shows that TPE is capable of achieving most ({approx}800 m{sup 2} of 850 m{sup 2} total PFCs area) of the expected ion flux density and electron density conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1979

Neutralization tests on the SERT 2 spacecraft

Neutralization test data obtained on the SERT 2 spacecraft are presented. Tests included ion beam neutralization of a thruster by a close (normal design) neutralizer as well as by a distant (1 meter) neutralizer. Parameters affecting neutralization, such as neutralizer bias voltage, neutralizer anode voltage, local spacecraft plasma density, and solar array voltage configuration were varied and changes in plasma potentials were measured. A plasma model is presented as an approximation of observed results.

Kerslake, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The potential for plasma diagnostics from stellar extreme-ultraviolet observations

A description of the lines from the most abundant ions in the EUV spectrum in the range 50-500 A that have special diagnostic significance is presented. These lines are from plasmas in the temperature range from 10 exp 5 to 10 exp 7 K. Their utility for determining temperature, density, and abundances is demonstrated. An objective grating spectrometer, based on the Skylab slitless spectrograph, for making celestial observations in the EUV spectral region with high spectral resolution is also described. Such an instrument, if equipped with a multilayer grating, can achieve efficiencies over limited EUV wavelength ranges that rival much larger telescope-spectrometer instruments for the observation of stars and other celestial objects.

Feldman, U.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Overview of the effects of neutral gas releases on high-voltage sounding rocket platforms

Four recent sounding rocket experiments demonstrate that the release of neutral gas from both positively and negatively charged vechicles returns the vehicle potential to near the plasma potential. Early active experiment payloads, CHARGE-2 and Space Power Experiments Aboard Rockets 1 (SPEAR-1) observed enhanced currents from/to the vehicles during unplanned attitude thruster firings. The follow-on CHARGE-2B ad SPEAR-3 payloads directly measured the changes to the vehicle potential caused by both planned argon and unplanned nitrogen releases. The gas releases from positively charged CHARGE-2B consistently reduced the potential to 20-50 V, wheras the gas releases from negatively charged SPEAR-3 brought the potential to between -200 and -500 V. The difference in grounding levels for positively and negatively charged payloads suggests that the gas responsible for grounding is near the vehicle, within a small fraction of the sheath size.

Berg, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Radial Profiles of the Plasma Electron Characteristics in a 30 kW Arc Jet

The present effort aims to strengthen modeling work conducted at the NASA Ames Research Center by measuring the critical plasma electron characteristics within and slightly outside of an arc jet plasma column. These characteristics are intended to give physical insights while assisting in the formulation of boundary conditions to validate full scale simulations. Single and triple Langmuir probes have been used to achieve estimates of the electron temperature (T(sub e)), electron number density (n(sub e)) and plasma potential (outside of the plasma column) as probing location is varied radially from the flow centerline. Both the electron temperature and electron number density measurements show a large dependence on radial distance from the plasma column centerline with T(sub e) approx. = (3 - 12 eV and n(sub e) approx. = 10(exp 12) - 10(exp 14)/cu cm.

Codron, Douglas A.↗
DOE OSTI2015

A linear radio frequency plasma reactor for potential and current mapping in a magnetized plasma

Langmuir probe measurements in front of high power ion cyclotron resonant frequency antennas are not possible or simply too noisy to be analyzed properly. A linear experiment is a radio frequency (RF) magnetized plasma discharge reactor designed to probe the rectified potential in front of such antennas but at low power level (1 kW) to next improve antenna design and mitigate sheath effects. The maximum magnetic field is 0.1 T, and the RF amplifier can work between 10 kHz and 250 MHz allowing ion cyclotron resonances for argon or helium. The first measurements with no magnetic field are presented here, especially 2D potential maps extracted from the RF compensated probe measurements yield ni ≈ 10{sup 15} m{sup −3} and Te ≈ 2 eV for RF power lower than 100 W. Series resonances in the chamber are highlighted and allow to deduce the plasma parameters from a simple equivalent impedance model of the plasma in helium gas. Next studies will be focused on magnetized plasmas and especially magnetized RF sheaths.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Single element of the matrix source of negative hydrogen ions: Measurements of the extracted currents combined with diagnostics

Combining measurements of the extracted currents with probe and laser-photodetachment diagnostics, the study is an extension of recent tests of factors and gas-discharge conditions stimulating the extraction of volume produced negative ions. The experiment is in a single element of a rf source with the design of a matrix of small-radius inductively driven discharges. The results are for the electron and negative-ion densities, for the plasma potential and for the electronegativity in the vicinity of the plasma electrode as well as for the currents of the extracted negative ions and electrons. The plasma-electrode bias and the rf power have been varied. Necessity of a high bias to the plasma electrode and stable linear increase of the extracted currents with the rf power are the main conclusions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

Potential contour shaping and sheath behavior with wall electrodes and near-wall magnetic fields in Hall thrusters

Graphite electrodes are embedded within the discharge channel of a Hall effect thruster to focus ions for improved performance. Cusp-shaped magnetic fields are added around the electrodes to shield the electrodes from high electron current. Internal plasma potential measurements inside the discharge channel show that the presence of floating graphite does not significantly affect the potential contours at 150 V anode potential. Creation of closed contour pockets are observed with the electrodes biased 10 and 30 V above the anode potential. The electrodes also cause a compression of the acceleration region in the thruster. The cause of the changes in the potential contours is attributed to a shifting of discharge electrode from the anode to the electrodes and an expansion of the near-wall plasma sheath. The presence of the cusp magnetic fields is shown to affect the current collected by the electrodes, a behavior associated with modification of the plasma sheath properties due to magnetization of electrons.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Extraction of negative ions from pulsed electronegative capacitively coupled plasmas

Charge buildup during plasma etching of dielectric features can lead to undesirable effects, such as notching, bowing, and twisting. Pulsed plasmas have been suggested as a method to achieve charge-free plasma etching. In particular, electronegative plasmas are attractive as the collapse of the plasma potential during the after-glow period of pulsed capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs) can allow for extraction of negative ions into the feature. The extraction of negative ions in the after-glow of pulsed CCPs sustained in CF{sub 4} containing gas mixtures is computationally investigated. In this paper, the consequences of pulse frequency and gas chemistry on negative ion flux to the wafer are discussed. A low negative ion flux to the wafer was observed only in the late after-glow period of low pulse frequencies. The negative ion flux was found to significantly increase with the addition of highly electronegative gases (such as thermally attaching Cl{sub 2}) even at a high pulse frequency of 10 kHz. As the production of negative ions during the after-glow diminishes, alternative strategies to enhance the flux were also pursued. The flux of negative ions was found to increase by the addition of a pulsed dc voltage on the top electrode that is 180 Degree-Sign out-of-phase with the rf pulse.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Transition energies and polarizabilities of hydrogen like ions in plasma

Effect of plasma screening on various properties like transition energy, polarizability (dipole and quadrupole), etc. of hydrogen like ions is studied. The bound and free state wave functions and transition matrix elements are obtained by numerically integrating the radial Schrodinger equation for appropriate plasma potential. We have used adaptive step size controlled Runge-Kutta method to perform the numerical integration. Debye-Huckel potential is used to investigate the variation in transition lines and polarizabilities (dipole and quadrupole) with increasing plasma screening. For a strongly coupled plasma, ion sphere potential is used to show the variation in excitation energy with decreasing ion sphere radius. It is observed that plasma screening sets in phenomena like continuum lowering and pressure ionization, which are unique to ions in plasma. Of particular interest is the blue (red) shift in transitions conserving (non-conserving) principal quantum number. The plasma environment also affects the dipole and quadrupole polarizability of ions in a significant manner. The bound state contribution to polarizabilities decreases with increase in plasma density whereas the continuum contribution is significantly enhanced. This is a result of variation in the behavior of bound and continuum state wave functions in the presence of plasma. We have compared the results with existing theoretical and experimental data wherever present.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Neutral particle dynamics in a high-power RF source

Previous studies on the spatial discharge structure in the SPIDER source of negative hydrogen/deuterium ions carried out at low applied power are extended towards description of the discharge maintenance under the conditions of the actual rf power deposition of 100 kW planned for a single driver of the source. In addition to the expected higher electron density, the results show strong increase of the electron temperature and of the temperatures of the neutral species (hydrogen atoms and molecules). In the discussions, not only the spatial distribution of the plasma parameters but also that of the fluxes in the discharge (particle and energy fluxes) is involved. The obtained results come in confirmation of basic concepts for low-pressure discharge maintenance: (i) mutually related electron density and temperature as a display of the generalized Schottky condition, (ii) discharge behavior governed by the fluxes, i.e. strong nonlocality in the discharge, and (iii) a non-ambipolarity in the discharge regime, which originates from shifted maxima of the electron density and temperature and shows evidence in a vortex electron flux and in a dc current in a rf discharge, the latter resulting from a shift in the positions of the maxima of the electron density and plasma potential.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

A biased probe analysis of potential well formation in an electron only, low beta Polywell magnetic field

Orbital limited motion theory has been applied to two biased probes in a low beta Polywell. The cases studied include electron injection, magnetic field scaling, Polywell bias scaling, and radial position profiles. Langmuir's original orbital limited motion results for a monoenergetic electron beam are shown to be in excellent agreement for electron injection into the Polywell. A distribution function is proposed for the electron plasma characteristics in the centre of the magnetic null and confirmed with experimental results. A translational stage was used to measure the radial plasma potential profile. In other experiments, two probes were used to simultaneously measure the profiles in both the null and a position halfway along a corner cusp. The results confirm a radial potential well created by electron trapping in the device. In addition, we present preliminary results of the potential well scaling with the magnetic field, Polywell bias voltage, and the injected beam current. The electron population was found to maintain non-equilibrium in all cases studied.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Radio-frequency sheaths physics: Experimental characterization on Tore Supra and related self-consistent modeling

During the 2011 experimental campaign, one of the three ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) antennas in the Tore Supra tokamak was equipped with a new type of Faraday screen (FS). The new design aimed at minimizing the integrated parallel electric field over long field lines as well as increasing the heat exhaust capability of the actively cooled screen. It proved to be inefficient for attenuating the radio-frequency (RF)-sheaths on the screen itself on the contrary to the heat exhaust concept that allowed operation despite higher heat fluxes on the antenna. In parallel, a new approach has been proposed to model self-consistently RF sheaths: the SSWICH (Self-consistent Sheaths and Waves for IC Heating) code. Simulations results from SSWICH coupled with the TOPICA antenna code were able to reproduce the difference between the two FS designs and part of the spatial pattern of heat loads and Langmuir probe floating potential. The poloidal pattern is a reliable result that mainly depends on the electrical design of the antenna while the radial pattern is on the contrary highly sensitive to loosely constrained parameters such as perpendicular conductivity that generates a DC current circulation from the private region inside the antenna limiters to the free scrape off layer outside these limiters. Moreover, the cantilevered bars seem to be the element in the screen design that enhanced the plasma potential.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗